Notice! This article contains spoilers for Gladiator 2.
Lucius Verus, the main hero of Gladiator 2is based on a real historical figure, albeit one whose life was very different from that portrayed in Ridley Scott’s films. Paul Mescal plays Lúcio in Gladiator 2, taking on the role of GladiatorSpencer treats Clark. As the leader of Gladiator 2Across the cast of characters, much of the film’s focus rests squarely on Lucius’ shoulders as he embarks on a Maximus-like arc, going from a soldier who desires peace to a gladiator who challenges the Roman Empire.
Like many GladiatorCharacters inspired by real life, Lucius Verus existed in Roman history. It is certain that Gladiator and Gladiator 2 These are by no means pillars of history faithfully brought to life, but many aspects are versed in the true machinations of the politics of the Roman Empire. However, when it comes to Mescal’s character specifically, major changes are made to his arc at the time of GladiatorThe climactic ending, with Gladiator 2 only pushing Lucius further into the realm of fiction.
Lucius Verus II was the son of Lucilla and the Roman emperor Lucius Verus
As mentioned, Lucius Verus existed in Roman history. Interestingly, there were two prominent Lucius Verus. The first was Emperor Lucius Verus, who ruled alongside GladiatorIt’s Marcus Aurelius. The two ruled as co-emperors as they were adopted brothers of Antoninus Pius, with Lucius’ reign only lasting between 161 AD and 169 AD before his death. Lucius Verus was married to Lucilla, another character from Gladiator with an appearance of historical accuracy.
Lucilla gave birth to three sons born to Lucius Verus, one of them being Lucius Verus II, of whom Paul Mescal Gladiator 2 character is based. However, this is where much of the historical accuracy of Gladiator and Gladiator 2 comes to an end in relation to Lucius. Both films drastically change the life of Lucius Verus, to the benefit of their characters and narratives.
Lucius never became a gladiator and instead died at a very young age
Gladiator 2’s Lucius Transformation Isn’t Story-Based
In real history, all three children of Lucilla and Lucius Verus died tragically at a young age from unclear causes, including Lucius Verus II. Lucius’ death occurred before his uncle, Commodus, became Roman emperor in 180 AD, causing the boy to be seen in Gladiator defy history as he should never have been alive. The original Gladiator involving Lucius Verus is where the historical inaccuracies begin, but certainly not where they end, given the boy’s history in the period between Gladiator, its sequel and the events of the 2024 film itself.
Gladiator 2 reveals that Lucius was sent away by Lucilla shortly after Lucius’ death. GladiatorMaximum Tenth Meridius. Lucilla exiled her son as a way to keep him away from corrupt Roman senators who would have used his connections with two former emperors for their own gain. It was revealed that Lucius eventually settled in Numidia, a kingdom located on the northwest coast of Africa. There, Lucius became part of a community and eventually grew up and found a wife, Arishat.
The kingdom of Numidia comprised the territory of Africa that today makes up the countries of Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.
Gladiator 2 describes Lucius’ journey from this point forward. After his wife’s death at the hands of the invading Roman army, Lucius becomes a gladiator and attempts to take revenge on the Roman general he believes is to blame for this. As is evident from the real-life Lucius Verus II, none of this should have happenedmoving Gladiator 2 further away from the real story on which it is based.
What will happen to Lucius after Gladiator 2?
Given that Ridley Scott already has ideas for Gladiator 3the question of what happens to Lúcio is necessary. The end of Gladiator 2 sees Lucius survive the events of the film, outlasting the twin Roman emperors, Caracalla and Geta, and the conniving Macrinus. This positions Lucius as the prince of Rome, with the support of the Roman army, the praetorian guard and the Roman people, due to his blood relationship with Marcus Aurelius and Maximus.
In Gladiator 3Lucius could be shown trying to navigate this position of power in an attempt to instill the dream of Marcus Aurelius of Rome. Marcus Aurelius wanted Rome to return to a republic, governed by citizens and not corrupt politicians. Lucius knows this at the time of Gladiator 2is ending and could begin to lay the foundation for a republic in Gladiator 3 among the dishonorable politicians of Rome who would see the beneficial empire continue.